New Prodigy Build

[ClockerXP]

Hi Guys- I think I am building a new system soon. I'm pretty sure I am settling in on a Bitfenix Prodigy for the chassis.

I am not a heavy gamer but I want the system to be somewhat capable. Looking for your recommendations. I'm leaning toward Intel for the CPU.

Areas I am concerned with:

CPU cooler (quiet is a priority but I don't think I am interested in H2O)
PSU selection (I hear size is an issue with this case)
Motherboard (this is a concern with respect to CPU cooler placement) - I like Intel if they have a good option.

I do like to overclock but not sure I want my rig designed with this as a major priority. I would consider the ability a bonus if I can get it w/o spending extra $. My Q9550 is currently at 3.4Ghz.

Appreciate any feedback you guys can provide. Thanks!

 

[Zap]

Answers to these questions will help us help you.

Why the Prodigy? You just like the way it looks? Want to go small?

FWIW the Prodigy is huuuuuge for an ITX case. It is around the size of some micro ATX towers.

 

[ClockerXP]

Based on the measurements it'll sit on top of my desk behind my monitor and to the left. It'll be sideways so the buttons and USB ports will directly in view. Based on the reviews I've read it's pretty quiet for a smallish case and I like the look.

I'm in the USA and the build will be all new. Budget is not a concern but I want something that provides a lot of value for the $. Like an Ars Technica mid range system.

I currently have a Coolermaster Cosmos v1 and I'm tired of something so big that it must go under the desk.

 

[Sleepingforest]

Try something like this:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master GeminII M4 58.4 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($33.94 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77E-ITX Mini ITX LGA1155 Motherboard ($144.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: Samsung 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial M4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.99 @ B&H)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Green 1.5TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($366.97 @ Newegg)
Case: BitFenix Prodigy (Black) Mini ITX Tower Case ($79.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Silverstone Strider Essential 600W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($59.64 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($24.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1235.45
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

This build looks very money inefficient for a reason: it's mITX. Z77 mobos come in at a minimun of ~$130 (and that minimum price has only a 4+1 power phase, so $150 helps with your overclock's stability). The power supply appears similarly overpriced simply because there is no other PSU which is small and comes from a reliable manufacturer at this wattage.

You can drop around $70 by switching to a 7950, and around $50 by switching to one of the cheaper 670s.


Here's an option that's actually a small 8.7" x 6.9" x 10.9" (around the size of two shoeboxes, one stacked on the other). The case comes with a usable PSU. It's 66% the volume of the Prodigy.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($214.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Phanteks PH-TC90LS 28.7 CFM CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77E-ITX Mini ITX LGA1155 Motherboard ($149.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Samsung 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial M4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Green 1.5TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($359.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Silverstone SST-SG05BB-450-USB3.0 (Black) Mini ITX Desktop Case w/450W Power Supply ($134.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($91.99 @ Amazon)
Other: Optical Drive ($29.98)
Total: $1236.88
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

 

[ClockerXP]

Thanks! Any overclocking I would do would be at default voltage. Does that allow me to consider an Intel board?

I'm curious as to your HSF selection. Why do you like that one?

 

[ClockerXP]

I've read the Xigmatek Loki is also a good option for the prodigy. Thoughts?

 

[Sleepingforest]

There are no Intel made mITX boards that can take advantage of a i5-3570K's unlocked multiplier. You must go with Gigabyte, Asrock, or Asus.

I've chosen the Cooler Master Gemini purely because of it's small size. However, I believe that you can get a fairly sizeable cooler in the case based on video by Bitfenix where they fit in the Prolimatech Megahalem cooler, which is 160mm tall.

Anyway, the Megahalem's have gotten very good reviews. I can't help you much more though, unless you answer the sticky questions more thoroughly (and preferably in exactly the order given, with numbers and headings).

 

[EliteRetard]

Not a big gamer, like to overclock...

I think you could be a case for AMD. Similar to the Intel systems suggested above, but with an A10-5800k APU as the heart, you can have a small gaming "capable" system under $600.

If you just want something small and near silent, Intel has a complete PC that can literally fit in the palm of your hand, $400-700 depending on how much you want it decked out.

Are you looking to replace your current system or is this just an addition to handle the light duty daily stuff? Do you want something faster, about the same, don't care? With out a bit more detail or direction you could end up scattered all over...value is good, but a good value for a truck is no deal when your looking for small sedan. Right now we're not entirely sure what you're actually looking for. Something with tires, and seats, and an engine, that might go really fast...or slow if its a good value, perhaps a radio too.

 

[ClockerXP]

Thanks guys. When I get home I will add more detail for sure. Thanks again!

 

[ClockerXP]

THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR ALL YOUR HELP!

My Current System being replaced:
Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3L
CPU: Q9550 @ 3.4Ghz (Default Voltage)
Memory: Mushkin 2x2GB + 2x1GB = 6GB DDR800 @ DDR800
Video: 1GB Radeon HD4890
Monitor: 25" 1920x1080 HP 2511x
SSD : 64GB AData S599 (Sandforce) Rebranded as Microcenter
HDD : 1TB 7200 Samsung
Sound: Onboard Realtek
LAN: Onboard Realtek
O/S: Win7 Pro 64-Bit. Might go to Win8 - I have an upgrade disk

Parts I see myself needing:
Case (Bitfenix Prodigy, I assume, unless you guys convince me otherwise)
PSU
M/B
CPU
RAM
Larger SSD (prefer in the range of 240GB)

My main concerns:
Physical compatibility
Performance per dollar
Efficiency
Quietness (not a concern when gaming)



1. What YOUR PC will be used for.
My system will replace the system above. I rarely game right now but I want it to be gaming capable whenever I decide I want to start playing again. Last time I was doing anything serious was about 1yr ago when I bought the HD4890 (used for $50) so that I can play Deux Ex. For this build I could even leave a video card out and go with onboard until I decide I need a card. I just want to make sure that a video card can be easily installed when needed (i.e. no PCI-E slot is blocked out).

What I find myself doing more often right now is using Handbrake to re-encode blu-ray rips to something that my TV can play natively from my WHS DNLA server. So encoding performance is somewhat important.

Efficiency is also important to me. Mainly because I don't want the new system throwing off a lot of heat or running hot and causing the fans to spin up.

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
Under $1000

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
I will be buying in the USA. Newegg, Amazon, or my local Microcenter.


5. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc.
I am pretty open here. My perception is that Intel chips are more efficient so I am leaning that way but I can be swayed pretty easily by the right argument.. I prefer Samsung HDDs but I can be bought there too!

6. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
I may re-use my 1TB HDD. For video I think I will just stick with onboard video if available but I would like to have the option of re-using my HD4890 or even my 9600GT.

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
I WILL plan on overclocking as much as I can at default voltage. If I cannot get any overclock at default I am willing to tweak a little.

8. What resolution, not monitor size, will you be using?
1920x1080

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?
Within three weeks unless there is some major event coming that people think I should wait for.

 

[EliteRetard]

I think the previous Intel suggestion/s should work just fine then...it will do encoding much faster than AMD and you might even find quick sync useful.

i5-3570k, 8-16GB DDR3, 250GB SSD (Samsung 830 or 840pro, Intel 520...some others *brain fart*), Z77 ITX MOBO, 450w+ PSU (if using the prodigy you need a short PSU like 140mm or 5.5" long, the suggested 600w strider should work), used 1TB HDD, used Win 64bit, used GPU.
~$750?

You mention you have a Microcenter, they usually seem to have fantastic deals on CPU/MOBO. Depending which CPU is on sale, the 2500k could be an option as well (~10% slower clock for clock vs 3570k).

No reason you couldn't use your 4890 for now, at least in the prodigy. The SG05 case is smaller and quite nice, but it only fits 9" GPUs (prodigy can take 12" without drive cage). The next generation of video cards is fast approaching, so if you don't need it now just wait.

 

[capeconsultant]

I am thinking of this case with a Gigebyte Z77 board and a noctua thin (or maybe not so thin) cpu cooler, and SSD of course. I do not use cdroms anymore.

From reviews I have read, it is a great case. thessdreview.com has a great review. If not mistaken, it does have the room for water if you want it. I have never tried it but I do love a quiet computer. this would be pretty quiet either way.

 

[Sleepingforest]

Here's a new build which cuts down on the GPU significantly, and even still, is around $6 over your budget. It's not nearly as good as mfenn's 1K build because it includes the OS (and mITX does increase prices somewhat for cases and motherboards):
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Phanteks PH-TC90LS 28.7 CFM CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77N-WIFI Mini ITX LGA1155 Motherboard ($114.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: Samsung 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial M4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.99 @ B&H)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($274.99 @ Newegg)
Case: BitFenix Prodigy (Black) Mini ITX Tower Case ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Silverstone Strider Essential 500W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($56.69 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1006.60
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

 

[EliteRetard]

He doesn't need a new GPU, if he uses his 4890 and waits until he actually needs an upgrade he'll get more bang for his buck. The new GPUs are just a few months out and should be faster and use less power. It doesn't look like he needs the OS either. He can get a 250GB M4 for $150, and I would absolutely suggest getting at least a 250GB SSD. Also pretty sure he can get a much better cooler for the money...if a megahalem fit then a CM 212 would as well. But other low profile coolers like a scythe shuriken should do a decent job. The 600w PSU is actually cheaper at newegg right now due to a rebate...though he doesn't need that much power.

 

[Sleepingforest]

He doesn't need a new GPU, if he uses his 4890 and waits until he actually needs an upgrade he'll get more bang for his buck. The new GPUs are just a few months out and should be faster and use less power. It doesn't look like he needs the OS either. He can get a 250GB M4 for $150, and I would absolutely suggest getting at least a 250GB SSD. Also pretty sure he can get a much better cooler for the money...if a megahalem fit then a CM 212 would as well. But other low profile coolers like a scythe shuriken should do a decent job. The 600w PSU is actually cheaper at newegg right now due to a rebate...though he doesn't need that much power.

You're right about the cooler and SSD... I had a dumb moment when I fused two mITX builds together, left in the other low-profile cooler, and didn't bother to search for SSD deals. He can use the 212 Evo just fine. However, I disagree about the GPU; it may be worth the wait for prices of the current generation, but the next generation of GPU is always overpriced at the beginning and won't have a great price/performance ratio because right now computers are generally moving towards power efficiency (meaning that the actual power increase will be slight even as the price jumps up).

Basically, if he lives in the USA, where electricity is cheap, he should probably wait for the price of the current generation to drop and jump on those deals. Just keep in mind that a delayed cost is still a cost.

Also, are you sure the OP doesn't need an OS? I would love for that to be true since it frees up the budget, but I didn't see any indication of not needing an OS.

 

[Eureka]

Since he can get stuff from the microcenter, why would you recommend a 3570k from Newegg? It's $180 at MC, and then you get the discount for the motherboard when you buy together.

 

[Sleepingforest]

Yes, I accidentally put the wrong location of purchase in. I will be fixing my previous recommended build.

This one has no GPU because I now believe (as EliteRetard points out) the best plan would be to wait until the new generation comes and forces prices down. You'll save some extra cash when the CPU/mobo combo kicks in at Microcenter, bringing the price down to around $730 (factoring in gas costs, taxes, etc.). Watch prices carefully. In the near future, you should be able to snag a 7970 for around $350 (right now, you can get a 670 for around $330-350, if you prefer). After you sell your old GPU, that should leave you as having spent under or very close to $1000.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77N-WIFI Mini ITX LGA1155 Motherboard ($114.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: Samsung 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial M4 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($159.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Green 1.5TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Case: BitFenix Prodigy (Black) Mini ITX Tower Case ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Silverstone Strider Essential 400W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($50.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($24.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $765.88
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)

 

[Zap]

You may want to take advantage of some hot deals going on right now. Can get a ZALMAN LQ-310 liquid cooler (great in the Prodigy) for $30 after rebate at Newegg, and 256GB Crucial M4 for $160 at Amazon. Buy the 3570K and ASRock Z77E-ITX together at Micro Center ($190 for CPU, $105 for motherboard).

Don't get the Gigabyte because if you ever decide you want even 0.01v more for your CPU, you are outta luck.

Use a Rosewill Capstone 450W $60 80Plus Gold PSU. It will power that CPU even overclocked, plus any single GPU graphics card.

Either use integrated graphics until you are ready to game again, or use your old card for now.

For RAM either the Samsung Magic RAM for 8GB (2x4) or Crucial Ballistix Sport for 16GB (2x8).

 

[ClockerXP]

Thank you guys! So much good information and backed up with great prices!

I think I will go with the Microcenter deal. It is close by. 16GB of RAM is what I would like...too bad that Samsung stuff doesn't come in 8GB DIMMS.

EDIT: Damn the Motherboard is OOS at my Microcenter but they have the Asrock one!

I am really interested in that Zalman LQ-310 cooler but am concerned about noise. Some of the Newegg reviews are less than flattering and I was not able to find much else in the way of reviews. Wondering if just a bigger air cooler with a slow fan (ala my current Scythe Ninja) would be better? I will check the dimensions of the Rosewill PSU..sounds promising though!

You guys rock! Oh the days when I used to be able to follow all this stuff so closely! Glad you are all here to keep me in the good stuff.

 

[EliteRetard]

Hey if you can get the ASRock MOBO combo like Zap said go for it...should be a good setup.

I think the Rosewill PSU will be to big to play nice in the Prodigy, the Silverstone Striders should fit better.

Possible option, TD has an H70 Core (no fans, stick it to the back fan or add your own) for $40 after rebate:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...1962&CatId=499

 

[ClockerXP]

Ordered this for pickup at Micro center so far:

Core i5 3570K 3.4GHz LGA 1155 Processor $189.99
Z77E-ITX LGA1155 Z77 mini ITX Intel Motherboard $104.99
Prodigy Mini-ITX Computer Case - Black $74.99

 

[Zap]

If you want 16GB RAM, like I said go for the Crucial Ballistix Sport 2x8GB low profile kit. It runs DDR3-1600 CAS 9 at 1.35v, and is really small like the Samsung. IDK if it overclocks well, but just running at stock speeds is fine too.

All the AIO liquid coolers have pump noise. Yes, a heatsink like the Ninja will be quieter with a quiet fan. The good thing about the AIO coolers is that they don't take up much motherboard space. Mini ITX motherboards often don't have room for big coolers, which may interfere with the PCIe slot.

 

[Chapbass]

When I read this thread title all I could think of was this...

Thats about all the help I can give at this point, mind is derailed. Build is coming together though.

 

[ClockerXP]

I think the same thing. First internets I ever had!

 

[ClockerXP]

Just a note to you guys, according to the BitFenix support forums, there are a rash of bad USB 3.0 front panel cables being shipped with Bitfenix cases. I have one too. Getting any support from Bitfenix is a nightmare. I wish I went with a different company/case right now. In the meantime I am trying to find a replacement that will work ok with the front panel PCB. I ordered something on eBay but will have to see how it fits.

The new system is in my sig!